I have to replace the crankshaft on the 5.4. The book says I have to use a special tool (the dealer does not have it) to hold the camshafts in place. But I have to remove the crankshaft. I don't see any sort of mark on the camshaft sprockets.

Haynes and Chilton's are both very vague about this. I don't see a way to mark anything that will be useful during assembly because of possible problems with parallax. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed?

 

Dont worry about timing it before you take it apart. Just tear it all down and replace whats needed then when its time to reassemble look here https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...g-a-5-4-a.html at my posts to time the cams.

 

Can I take the crank out without removing the heads? These zero clearance engine give me the heeby jeebys. I don't want to have to pull the pistons. I will if there is no other way, but I'm looking for short cuts.

 

Just pop off all the rockers that way all the valves will be closed so you can push all the pistons to the top of the bores. It will be a PITA taking the crank out with the pistons in. I have done it on a 3.0 v6 and I had to get someone else to hold the rods out of the way so I wouldnt nick any of the journals. You will prob be better off pulling the heads and pistons.